Cumbria Ecumenical
Spirituality Group
Spiritual Accompaniment
Finding an accompanier/director
If you would like to find someone to join you on your journey with God, to offer you a space to explore your faith, and to listen, please contact:
Joining the Network
CESG hold a directory of Spiritual accompaniers/directors. If you are interested in joining the Network or finding out more about it, please contact:
We exist to…
journey with Christians in Cumbria in discovering the joy and depth of prayer as it draws us home to God, and to ourselves, and into the world in which we live
encourage everyone to discover their unique pathway to enjoying God and glorifying him in their daily lives
We do this by…
assisting our respective churches to reclaim our hidden treasury of spiritual insights and learning by exploring the rich heritage of writings and teachings of the mystics, poets and spiritual writers over the centuries to the present day
sharing insights about the inner life of prayer and Christian spirituality, silence and meditation on quiet days, retreats and courses
raising the profile of spiritual direction/accompaniment, helping people find a spiritual director, and by training and resourcing spiritual directors.
Embracing the whole church. We are…
supported by Churches Together in Cumbria
a resource for Mission Communities
working in collaboration with the Church leaders of Cumbria
Our history
The CESG was launched in 2010 through the shared vision of James Newcombe (then Bishop of Carlisle) and of two retired Methodist Ministers (Jeff Thomas and Chris Wood). Sister Ann-Marie, a Franciscan nun, was invited by Bishop James, to move from Cornwall to take up the role of Spirituality Advisor for the Carlisle Diocese, and to co-ordinate the group.
It began by offering a programme of spirituality days in different venues around Cumbria. The uptake was overwhelming, and indicated a thirst for a deeper prayer life, and an interest in the spiritual treasures offered by each Christian tradition.
The group responded to this desire by devising Nourishing the Soul — a ten-day course run monthly over a year. This was then followed by A Training Course for Spiritual Directors — also run monthly over a year.
Meanwhile, the group took on the role of creating and managing the Network for spiritual directors/accompaniers: training, resourcing, and allocating appropriate directs.
CESG has changed and evolved over the years, but retains its ecumenical nature by ensuring that it includes those from other traditions: e.g. Quaker, Baptist, new church, Roman Catholic…
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Kath Dodd
After spending 30 years sharing in ministry at Hawkshead Hill Baptist Chapel, Kath and her husband have retired near Hawkshead. Kath seeks to find God’s presence in nature, music, poetry, silence, spiritual writings, beauty, fellow human beings…as well as in the warp and woof, the joys and pains of everyday life. A deep solidarity with others motivates her to accompany other seekers on their own journey with God. She trained under Mollie Dow (the wife of the former Bishop of Carlisle), took a Course in Spiritual Accompaniment at Loyola Hall, and completed the Ignatian Hybrid Exercises in 2024. She joined the group in 2011, soon after its inception, and is the ecumenical liaison.
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Ali Betterridge
Has been a companion with the Northumbria Community since 2006 because she is attracted by their rule of vulnerability and availability, and committed to living a life of simplicity, silence, prayer and hospitality. She trained as a spiritual director through the CESG and has completed the Ignation spiritual exercises. She draws her inspiration from Celtic Spirituality, finding God in the mundane and the ordinary, and in the contemplative lives of mystics such as Julian of Norwich, John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila. She is a practising psychotherapist.
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Helen Bailey
trained in Spiritual Direction with the CESG in 2019/20 having previously made the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius and undertaken the Introduction to Spiritual Accompaniment training at St Beuno’s. Discovering Ignatian Spirituality was unexpected and a circuitous route which has opened her up to the joys of retreats, contemplative Christianity and finding God in all things. Helen works as a Leadership Coach and Trainer/Facilitator, working with a wide range of individuals and groups, holding space for what wants to emerge and is always surprised at what can happen. Whenever possible she loves walking in nature and exploring our beautiful countryside.
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Jo Maybury
has worked in various roles in Christian mission in the UK and East Africa, and as a remedial massage therapist working with people living with cancer or MS. She is an elder in her church where her favourite activity is facilitating conversation and prayer around the Bible. Ignation Spirituality has been a significant part of her spiritual formation. Jo trained in Spiritual Direction with CESG in 2022/23. She enjoys growing food, visits from her children, finds a home in the wildness of silence, is a poet, and is inspired by mystics and their poetry. Jo provides administrative support for CESG.
Upcoming events
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Resource Day
May 2026
Resource Day at Rydal Hall
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Spiritual Directors Meeting
Tuesday 3rd November 2026
Annual meeting of Spiritual Directors across Cumbria
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Resource Day
September 2026
Resource Day at Rydal Hall
Cumbria Ecumenical Spirituality Group
Cumbria Ecumenical Spirituality Group
(CESG)
is supported by
Churches Together in Cumbria
and works in collaboration with the
Church leaders of Cumbria
